Ronin Warriors Fanfiction
The Ronin Warriors Meet Sailor Moon
Author: John Bailey / The Seventh Sage
Contact the Author: [email protected], [email protected], ICQ number 69622860, or Instant Messenger screenname theseventhsage2

Chapter Seven: "The War Begins"

Kayla checked on her mother's condition for the tenth time in an hour. It was the last hour Kala would be able to stay in the healing chamber, as she was to face the Ronins and Sailors in just a short while. As Kayla began the shutdown procedure for the healing chamber, Kala awoke.

"Hello, mother," spoke Kayla's sympathetic voice.

"Kayla, what time is it?"

"Eight o'clock. You have to be in the Mage's chamber in five minutes."

"Yes, I know. Thank you, Kayla."

"You're welcome."

The Ronins and Sailors had made their sleeping arrangements. All the Ronins were guests of Serena and Darrian, although Cye had twice opted to stay with Amy and Lita. This particular morning, Cye woke up with a strange feeling--that of a coming battle. He quickly alerted everyone else, who promptly gathered in Serena and Darrian's dining room.

"I felt the same thing this morning, but I just thought it was my imagination," said Ryo in reaction to Sai's explanation of his "feeling" earlier that morning.

"So did I!" came from an eager Kento.

Sage and Rowen also noted their strange feelings, prompting Anubis to start a lecture. "This morning, Kayura and I had a joint vision. It appears to have come from the Ancient himself. It warned us about a coming confrontation with Kala, but it seemed out of the ordinary. Kala stood with a wand and was dressed like a Sailor Scout, but the clothing was black. Before her lay the dead, nude bodies of the Sailors and Ronins, as well as Kayura and myself. Hovering above each of the dead bodies were the sources of power for the fallen warriors. Kala then called the kanji orbs and the power sticks to her, then disappeared, laughing wildly."

The Sailor Scouts and Darrian all looked very worried. Amy was the first to speak. "It is just as we feared. Kala has learned how to use the full powers of the dark side of the moon. Nothing stands a chance anymore."

"Well, then, shouldn't we be trying to figure out where that battle will happen?" asked Rowen enthusiastically.

"No need to, Rowen of Strata," answered Anubis. "I already know. The battle will happen in four hours three kilometers west of here."

"That puts it in the center of Crystal Palace."

"Yes, Amy, it does. That's why Kala chose it, as I understand. I can see her point--it leaves room for something of a perfectly ironic situation. Beaten on your own turf. It's not a proposition that anyone particularly likes. But, I do feel that we should try to work as ONE cohesive unit, not two."

The others responded in unison, "Agreed."

Kala stood in the Mage's chamber, waiting for him to appear. As he approached her from behind, she kneeled in recognition of his presence. As he passed her, he paid no attention to her, then sat in his throne.

"Speak, Kala."

"I am ready to fight the Ronins. I will not fail."

"You had better not, as this is your last chance. To ensure your success, you will have four people fighting at your side. They also are Sailor Scouts, but these Scouts are under MY direct control. They will not follow your orders if they are unreasonable or faulting in logic, as they are cyborgs with artificial intelligence. You may notice that they look identical to their goody-two-shoes counterparts. Also, you can combine your powers with theirs in the same kind of 'Sailor Planet Power' pool as the enemy Scouts. Do not hesitate to use it. I want that world as soon as possible."

"Yes, Master. I will not fail you."

"Go, then, and fight the Ronins. Time and place is your choice, but do it within the day."

"Yes, Master."

Kala stood in the center of what would be Crystal Palace in a thousand or so years. She surveyed the area, making sure she knew where to position the other four Scouts under her control.

"Dark Moon Prism Power!"

Black silk again wrapped her nude body and then disappeared, leaving her in a black Sailor outfit. The other Dark Sailor Scouts appeared, dressed for battle. Their outfits mirrored their corresponding Sailor Scout's uniform, but were black instead of white. Each Dark Sailor took a point that mirrored the Crystal Points, but much closer to the center of Crystal Palace.

"They're here!" Raye screamed as she jumped from her seat on Serena and Darrian's couch. All five Sailors, the five Ronins, Anubis, Kayura, White Blaze, and Darrian ran out the door, stopping in the front lawn.

"Mars Star Power!"

"Armor of Wildfire! Tao jin!"

"Mercury Star Power!"

"Armor of Torrent! Tao shin!"

"Venus Star Power!"

"Armor of Halo! Tao rei!"

"Jupiter Star Power!"

"Armor of Hardrock! Tao gi!"

"Moon Crystal Power!"

"Armor of Strata! Tao chi!"

"Armor of Cruelty! Tao chu!"

As the warriors and Sailors transformed, Darrian drew a rose from the inner pocket of his jacket and transformed into Tuxedo Mask. Kayura drew the Ancient's staff to full battle readiness. White Blaze transformed into Black Blaze's Armor. The thirteen fighters stood battle-ready, and charged toward the Crystal Palace site

Kala stood waiting for the Sailors and Ronins as they approached. Kala drew her wand. The other four Dark Sailors readied their attacks.

Ryo opened the gate to the battle. "Flare Up Now!"

"Thunderbolt Cut!"

"Super Wave Smasher!"

"Iron Rock Crusher!"

"Arrow Shock Wave!"

"Quake With Fear!"

"Golden Staff Cannon!"

"Mars Celestial Fire Surround!"

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!"

"Moon Scepter Activation!"

"Shine Aqua Illusion!"

"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!"

Tuxedo Mask had jumped into the air, raised his arm, taking his cape with it. He forced his arm and cape down, revealing a shower of roses that landed, encircling each of the Dark Scouts.

Kala and the Dark Scouts attacked after the roses hit the ground.

"Dark Moon Cosmic Power!"

"Mars Fire Ignite!"

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!"

"Jupiter Thunder Crush!"

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"

The Ronins and Sailors did not care who they hit with their attacks. However, the Dark Scouts were powerful enough to neutralize the attacks.

Each Sailor Scout paired off with their corresponding Dark Sailor Scout. Kento joined Lita, Sage helped Mina, Cye fought beside Amy, Rowen stood with Raye, and Ryo took point with Serena. Anubis and Kayura lashed attacks at anyone they could, and White Blaze stood clear of the battle in his Armor, waiting for the Soul Swords to become necessary.

Ryo tried to tornado kick Kala from behind, causing Kala to duck. This gave Serena the opportunity to bring her charged Scepter down on Kala's head, then jump back and attack again. Kala stumbled from the force of the Scepter hitting her head.

"Moon Scepter Activation!"

The attack hit Kala full force as Ryo jumped into the air, put his words hilt-to-hilt, pulled them apart, and brought them down on Kala, screaming, "FLARE UP NOW!" Kala fell to the ground under Ryo's attack. She quickly stood back up and pulled her tiara from her forehead.

"Dark Moon Tiara Attack!" She threw the tiara at Serena, who promptly deflected it with her Scepter. For Ryo came a special surprise. "Dark Moon Cosmic Power!"

"FLARE UP NOW!"

Ryo barely managed to counter the attack, at the cost of a hairline fracture in the sword he most often used with his right hand.

"Moon Scepter Activation!" Serena knocked the wand out of Kala's hand and to the ground, leaving Kala's glove seriously damaged and her hand with several small cuts that wouldn't scar.

The other pairs were fairing a little better. Raye and Rowen had managed to beat back Dark Mars to the point that she was infuriated and glowing red.

"MARS FIREBIRD STRIKE!"

Raye flew back out of the way, falling to the ground on her right side. "Rowen, hit its head with an arrow! Hurry! If I attack, it'll just get stronger!"

Rowen drew an arrow, listening to Raye's advice. "ARROW SHOCK WAVE!" The arrow flew straight through the firebird, disintegrating it. Raye stood up and prepared herself for battle. Rowen moved behind the Dark Mars, ready to attack, using his bow as a sword.

"Mars Celestial Fire Surround!"

As Raye's attack sped toward her evil counterpart, Rowen brought his bow down on her head, then jumped up and out of the way of Raye's attack. "ARROW SHOCK WAVE!"

The Dark Mars' suit was badly tattered and singed. She was bleeding from several places on her arms and legs. There were several smoke trails rising from her suit, as well.

Cye and Amy were on equal standing ground with the Dark Mercury, even after combining their attacks. This was a battle that wouldn't get anywhere any time soon.

Sage and Mina had already beaten back their opponent with Sage's skills at using a nodatchi. He used it to reflect and add power to Mina's Love Chain. The chain managed to break the locket on Dark Venus's chest, sending her into power shock.

Lita and Kento weren't faring too well against Dark Jupiter, though. "JUPITER THUNDER DRAGON ENVELOP!" The dragon swallowed Kento and Lita, severely damaging Kento's helmet and putting a gash in Lita's locket. That gash in Lita's locket weakened her to the point that she couldn't even raise the antenna on her tiara. Anubis saw this and swung his kusari gama's scythe end into Dark Jupiter's locket, shattering it completely.

"A robot?!?" Kento asked as he saw the body that remained after the Dark Jupiter powers failed.

"That'd explain why it sounded so much like me, but different," added Lita weakly.

The four Dark Scouts' tattered cyborg frames started glowing, their power returning. They stood back up and formed a circle with Kala. A black energy started forming around them, seeming to repair all damage to the cyborgs (who had skin only when transformed into Dark Sailors) and restoring their and Kala's suits.

Lita's Scout uniform disappeared, leaving her in her normal street clothes. She tried to transform again. "Jupiter Star Power!" Nothing. "What?!? My powers aren't working! What gives?!"

Rowen walked over and helped Kento get her off the ground. "You're in energy debt, Lita. Your locket was hit, and that's your weak point. When your locket is damaged, you go into energy debt because your powers try to repair the damage, but can't. Your only hope to recover is sit out a few battles."

"That's not acceptable, Rowen," added Amy as she and the other Ronins made their way over, "Kala and the Dark Scouts are charging their own Sailor Planet Power circle."

Mina wrinkled her forehead in thought for a few seconds, then asked, "What about the old power sticks? Would they work?"

"I don't know. It's worth a try."

"Yeah, I'll try it." Lita drew her old power stick and held it up. "Wow, it's been a long time since I used this one. Jupiter Power!" The power stick worked its magic, transforming Lita into the weaker Sailor Jupiter.

"Now," Amy suggested, "Try to transform with your Star stick. We'll use the Planet Power to fix your locket."

"Jupiter Star Power!" The locket started glowing, then the gash reappeared. The gash continued glowing.

"It must have enough energy now that it can try to heal itself," Rowen concluded upon seeing that.

"Possibly, but we still need to get her into the Power circle. Help her, guys."

Kento helped the weakening Lita into the circle the other Scouts had formed.

"Let's hurry. Lita, DON'T use the Star Power command."

"Venus Star Power!"

"Jupiter Power!"

"Mercury Star Power!"

"Mars Star Power!"

"Moon Crystal Power!"

All five then called out their familiar last words. "Sailor Planet Power!"

Lita's locket was soon back to its normal appearance, but it was a little too late. The Dark Scouts' power was on its way.

"Guys! FORM THE CIRCLE!" called Kento.

The five Ronins and Anubis formed a circle around the Sailors.

"Circle of Light! Tao chi! Armor of Wildfire!"

"Armor of Cruelty!"

"Armor of Strata!"

"Armor of Hardrock!"

"Armor of Halo!"

"Armor of Torrent!"

The six Armors moved in front of their masters, who promptly jumped out of the circle. The power resulting from the combination of the Armors and the Sailor Planet Power was enough to completely reflect the Dark Scouts' power.

Kala knew she was in trouble if she didn't do something fast. She and the other Dark Scouts jumped out of the way of the reflected attack. She then called for the Dark Scouts to help her in another attack. Kala drew her Crescent Wand and held it out. "Dark Moon Cosmic Power!"

The Dark Scouts Stood beside Kala, two on each side. Each placed one hand on the wand.

"Dark Mercury Power!"

"Dark Venus Power!"

"Dark Jupiter Power!"

"Dark Mars Power!"

"Dark Moon Cosmic Power! Combine!"

In the Ronin-Sailor camp, all knew there were big problems ahead. Kayura used her staff to break the circles and send the Sailors flying to the ground. The Ronins jumped in, grabbing a Scout, then jumped back out. The power from Kala's wand barely missed the Ronins and Sailors, causing extensive damage to the ground, but only minor scrapes on the Ronin Armors and Scouts' suits.

Ryo was quick to act. "Armor of Inferno! Tao jin!"

The other four Ronin Armors started glowing, then gave their power to Ryo. As the Armor of Inferno formed around Ryo, Serena drew her locket away from her Sailor outfit, transforming herself into Neo-Queen Serenity.

The remaining Scouts and Ronins formed one large circle with Anubis, hoping to pool their remaining powers into one huge blast.

"Armor of Torrent!"

"Mercury Star Power!"

"Jupiter Star Power!"

"Armor of Hardrock!"

"Armor of Halo!"

"Mars Star Power!"

"Venus Star Power!"

"Armor of Strata!"

"Armor of Cruelty!"

Ryo and Serenity stood side-by-side, staring down Kala and her Dark Scouts. Kala was the first to move, placing her hand in front of her. "Spectral Wave of Annihilation!"

Ryo responded with his attack. "RAGE OF INFERNO!"

The attacks neutralized each other, prompting another full power blast from Kala and the Dark Scouts. Serenity used the Silver Crystal's full power, and Ryo used the Inferno's full power.

"FLARE UP RAGE OF INFERNO!"

Ryo and Serenity were losing ground, but were determined not to give up. The "power pool" that the others were working on was nearly complete. A massive sphere of golden energy, similar to a Genku Dama ("Spirit Bomb" to American-dub DBZ lovers), had formed above them. Kayura wasn't into playing games herself, so she joined Ryo and Serena.

"Golden Staff Canon!"

Kayura's attack gave Ryo and Serena just barely enough help to hold their ground until the others' attack was ready.

The three minutes required to finish the sphere seemed to take three centuries to pass--an agonizing eternity for Kayura, Ryo, and Serena, who were fast exhausting their power sources. Darrian had been trying to help the three the entire time, but could do nothing. Every rose he threw shattered at fifty feet from the target.

Finally, the attack was ready. The Ronin-Sailor circle, led by Raye, directed their attack at Kala solely, but hit her wand instead. The wand disappeared, Kala's locket shattered, and the Dark Scouts exploded. Kala disappeared seconds later.

"YOU FAILED ME, KALA! YOU HAVE ONE LAST CHANCE TO REDEEM YOURSELF . . ."

"We did it!" exclaimed an overly excited Cye.

"Yeah, but this is just the beginning," an exhausted Amy commented.

"Still, we won a battle. At least now we have an idea of what to expect in the future."

Raye couldn't help but point out, "One battle won't make a difference if we can't win the war. What about you guys, though? You must be missing your homes and your lives. Maybe we can send you back?"

Amy and Rowen answered in almost perfect unison, "We can't take that chance until we know it's completely safe to recross a dimensional border. Besides, we need to rest and get our strength back before we try anything."

Author's Psychotic Rants, Part Twelve

Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. I've had a lot going on, and I had lost my inspiration a few times, too. Anyway, I did repay you well, I think. One hell of a fight scene should make up nicely for this delay, right? The fight scene was most of the problem with getting the chapter out.

Anyway, I've been enjoying the possibilities with this fic. I have about ten scenarios in my head that I could possibly turn into new plot twists and additions. And my additions of Kempec and Kayla will become more clear in the future, too. Look for more Dark Twins to appear, too. There is a method to my madness, y'know?

Whichever ML I asked about adding characters, I should make note of the question to the others, because it's an integral part of future chapters. I had asked how people would feel if I added Dark Twins of the Ronins, Anubis, and Kayura, but use the Japanese attack names (YST) so that it would be easier to tell the Dark Ronin attacks from the real Ronin attacks. This is not to say that I hate YST, although I do prefer the dub (I saw the dub first, so don't whine and complain. I'm not bashing YST. It's a perfectly enjoyable show!). I do not mean to offend YST fans, but I just needed a venue through which to help keep characters separate; using the YST attack names is the easiest available venue to use.

Thanks for your patience with me, and thank you to those of you who have e-mailed me with questions and comments. I love getting input, as it helps me develop new ideas and gives me a good basis for what would make the fic better. As I get more questions and comments, I can make this better, I promise. So, please, let me know what you think!

Later!
Beetles